Metal clip



Nov. 24, 1942. F. w. ADAMS 2,303,103

METAL CLIP Filed Dec. 12, 1958 I E fizz/622207":

2a 6 lgjygm/ams posite roof structure, flooring,

Patented Nov. 24,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Floyd W. Adama fifith l ii hl'r d assignor. to

The Celotex Corporation, v poration oi'Delaware Chicago, 111., a cor-- Application December 12, 1938, Serial No. 245,126

rm invention relates to the laying and the 1ike;'and in particular, this invention structure, flooring and the like.

Prior to this invention composite roof structure, flooring, and tiling have been laid in a mastic or other plastic material by mopping or otherwise applying the mastic to a supporting structure such as a roof structure, flooring construction, or walls. 'When the mastic has been a composite roof structure or the like are usually not level, that is when they are placed in juxtaposition, the various corners of each structural unit are at difierent elevations from the adjacent structural unit. Although the edges of the various units after they are applied to the mastic have their edges stepped down or even weighted, it has been found that the edges and corners of the various units making up the composite roof structure are not uniformly laid. Particularly, this is so as the units are preferably laid A apart in order that a suitable mastic can be laid in the space between the edges of the unit.

It is a particular object of this invention to provide a novel method and clips for applying the unit for these composite roof structures, or the like, so that in the resultant surface formed of a plurality of the units, the individual units will all be substantially in a plane and uniformly spaced from each other for suitable application of mastic between the units.

An object of this invention is the provision of .a clip serving to support adjacent edges of tile form units whereby adjacent top surfaces of adjacent units will be aligned in a plane surface.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a novel metal clip construction so that the --metal clip not only supports adjacent units, but

. corners when laid in offset formation.

relates-to animprovement in metal clips for securing in juxtaposition the units comprising th composite roof of the preferred embodiment of the invention as applied in this manner, the structural units for vention using Claims. (01. 85-14 of a comapparent from the following detailed description 1 illustrated in the accompanying drawing. vwhere: I

Fi ure 1 is a. insulated roof plan view illustrating a composite structure laid according togmy inmy novel metal clips;

Figure 2 154m enlarged perspective of my novel metal clip for securing the units as illustrated in Figure 1, and illustrating how it may be used for spacing the adjacent units of a composite structure along the edges and corners of the units comprising the composite structure;

Figure 3 is a plan view illustrating preferred embodiments of my metal clip for spacing the adjacent units of a composite structure alongthe edges and corners of the units comprising the ification of my In the present embodiment of the invention as Further objects and advantages will become composite structure;

Figure 4* illustrates a blank utilized in forming my metal clip from a continuous strip of sheet metal;

Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view illus- I trating a modification of my metal clip formed from the blank as illustrated in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a perspective of a preferred modi-.

fication of my invention for securing the adjacent corners of two units to another unit;

Figure 7 is a perspective of a preferred embodiment of my invention for spacing and securing the adjacent comers of four units ofthe composite roof construction of my invention;

and,

Figure 8 is a perspective ofa still further modinvention.

illustrated in Figure 1, a roof deck in the preferred embodiment of the invention supports a plurality of roof blocks l0 which in turn serve to form a composite roof structure surfacing. This composite roof structure I0 is formed by a. plurality of units H laid in juxtaposition to each other as illustrated.-

The unit H as illustrated is preferably formed from a relatively coarse fiber'structure such as is available on the market generally as fiber insulating board, and which'i's manufactured by a process involving felting of the fiber from a water suspension of the fiber. The insulating board material which is a felted vegetative sources and contains a large proportion of air space provided by'the relatively .loose fiber structure; This characteristic imparts to the fiber sheet an appreciable resilience and relatively high insulating value. This particular type of unit H is preferably suitably saturated v fiber product manuzfactured fromrelatively coarse fiber derived from ably use a laid by suitably placingdiagom'tlly into are successively positioned weight with an asphalt of about 140 to 160 F. M. P. and-the surface thereof to be uppermost or exposed may be suitably coated with an asphaltic wear resisting compound'over which in turn may be applied atough and wear resisting surfacing- -coating,'as for example, an asphalt resistant floor paint I In applying the unit to a roof deck, I preferbitumastic cement. The bitumastic cement is usually applied with a trowel or other suitable device, and preferably the units ii are of bitumastic cement positionedslightly away "from the final position which the unit is to occupy, the unit then slid by application of sliding pressure so that the unit is forced preferably,

By such procedure of applying the unit in place good contact and adhesion of the unit is obtained as will be understood by those skilled in the art of laying materials of this general character with adhesives of the type which are preferably usedin connection with the V In applying the unit roof structure In, the unit tially evenly embedded in a laying of these units.

ii is laid and substanbed of mastic which has been combed out and formed with serrations as disclosed in the said of George E. Swenson, so

copending application that the unit is slight ly out of place with respect to the other units which have been previously laid. The units ll into their final'positions, prefereably by being given a slight and substantially arcuate movement to cause the adhesive to be thoroughly applied on the underside of the units. a v

According to my preferred method of laying a roof structure, or the like, I position by novel metal clip i2 underneath a unit i I, as illustrated in Figure l, and afilx it thereto before bringinginto juxtaposition a similar unit ii which is to be spaced therefrom and affixed thereto with the same metal clip l2. After unit ii is positioned into place, the units will become firmly afilxed to the roof deck or other supporting structures by the adhesive, and the units along adjacent edges will be uniformly spaced one from another. It is preferable, in laying units such as described that each unit will 'be' spaced substantially a quarter of an inch from its adjacent unit along the respective edges of the units. The grooves formed in such a manner are subsequently filled with a suitable mastic .to my invention, the edges of the units were set down in a manner w -known in the art, or suitably weighted to prevent the edges of the units from raising before thaunits'are firmly affixed.

II to form a composite.

, row tongue and groove the units on the layer the position whichit is to occupy.

.- metal. I prefer that my novel be formed ina single operation ona press or the v them to the base or plastic material. Prior It is obvious that with my novel invention that,

be the units are placed in juxtaposition, the various'corners of each of the structural units are at substantially the same elevation as their adjacent units, therefore, forming a. substantially level structure,-or the like. It is to be that it is within the scope of my invention that my novel clip l2 can be secured, if desired, to the supporting structure either by nailing, or by any other suitable method.

* In a roof structure such as illustrated in Figure 1, the units ii are preferably 24 x 48" which are convenient for one person to handle and apply- These units may also be applied by I first cutting back the surfacowith a solvent in order to form an adhesive tacky surface. The

' of my invention unit may then be applied as has been previously described using my novel metal clip.

It is to be understood that it is within the scope prepared wood block flooring materials or it may comprise rubber tile, linoleum, or the like. It is also to be understood that these units may also be applied by first securing my novel metal clips to the unit about to be applied and then affixing the unit together with the metal clips to the unit to which it is to be secured. It is also within the scope of this invention that the mastic material may be applied'to the units direct or to the-surfaceof the supporting structure as has been described, or that in suitable instances the,

mastic may be dispensed with and the units' otherwise suitably secured.

The novel metal clip is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, for applying and securing the units ii in juxtaposition and in spaced relationship. It is preferably formed from strips of thin gauge sheet metal clip shall like machine, however, it is within the scope of this invention that the metal clip canbe first blanked and then formed into the completed clip' 12, as illustrated in Figure 2. The novel clip I 2 of my invention comprises a base portion I3 I which is adapted to underlie and support units in Prongs H are preferably formed juxtaposition.

from the base portion i3 as illustrated in Figure 2. The prongs l4 are preferably alternated in y direction, as illustrated in Figure 2. The prongs comprise an upwardly extending portion l5 which is adapted to position the adjacent edges of units in. juxtaposition substantially A" apart. An inwardly and horizontally extending portion IS on each prong i4 is vertically mounted wardly extended portion [5 substantially one-half the thickness of the unit to which the portion is afiixed. The portion I6 is preferably V-shaped at its free end for piercing the felted fiber construction'of the units II. The prongs H are preferably formed from notches l'l in the base portion i3, however, it is to be understood that the prongs may be formed by welding or otherwise securing portion l3. In using my novel clips they are applied, as best illustrated inFigures l or 2, along the edges of the various units H. A sufficient number of the clips I: are used along the edges of the units to prevent the edges from curling and also be apparent that as the underface of adjacent units are supported on base portion B of the clip, that the upper surfaces of adjacent units will be in planar relation. It is also within the scope of my invention, wherever necessary, that the clip I2 may be nailed or otherwise secured to the supporting structure.

Referring to Figures 3, 4 and 5, I will now describe a preferred modification of my novel invention for an improvement in a metal securing clip. A preferred form of my metal clip I8 is preferably formed from a continuous strip of there is disclosed a blank from which the clip I! is formed without any waste in material. In

that the novel metal clips of my.

strips, and any of the on the upcoming out of alignment and it will- '29 as at 23. The

, It is obvious that tinuous operation by blanking it and forming it from the continuous strip l9 in one operation or stroke of the press. However, it is to :be understood that it is within the scope of the invention 7 that the clip may be formed by blanking, splitting, and then forming the clip into its final form, or it may be formed by any determined sequence of the operations for its formation.

Referring to Figure 4, it is preferable to shear the blank- 20 from the strip l9, preferably along the line or edges 2| of the completed clip. With a suitable die and press operation, the prongs 22' are formed in one operation by shearing the blank die used in the press operation forms a vertical upstanding portion 24, preferably along the dotted line 25 as illustrated in Figure 4. with one stroke of the press the punch and die suitably forms base portion 26 and horizontal portion 21 of the prong 22 thus subs tantially finishing the formation of the preferred modification of the metal clip [8, as illustrated in Figure 5. The horizontal portion 21., of the prong 22 are preferably vertically positioned at substantially A; the thickness of the unit II with and 32 are preferably formed in one operation with suitable dies mounted in a press, as has been previously disclosed with reference to the fabrication of the clip i 8, illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, it is believed that further disclosure of the formation of the clips 3| and 32 is not necessary to one skilled in the art in view of the disclosure for the formation of the clip i8. Since the clips l8,,3l and 32 are similarly formed like reference characters will therefore indicate similar parts of the fabricated clip.

It is obvious from the disclosure, as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, that these clips 3i and 32 are preferaby formed with a minimum amount of sheet metal material. The prongs 22 of these units or metal clips are also readily adapted to be forced into the units H either by hand or with a hammeror other suitable tool. It is apparent from the disclosure that the base portion 26 serves to support adjacent units of the composite roof structure or the like at a substantially uniform height so that the corners-and edges of the units which the clips i 8 are to :be used. It is obvious from Figure 5 that a suitably pointed-prong 21 is formed which will readily pierce the edges of 1 from the strip material to form suitable means the felted fiber unit withwhich the clips are to be used. The material from which the clips i8 are formed is preferably ofv such a thickness that a rigid clip is fabricated and one which may readily be forced into the units I I, either by hand, by a hammer, or other suitable tool. I

The novel 'clip l9 of my invention not only serves .to keep the edges of the unit II in a plane surface with respect to the top surface of the composite structure, but the clip also serves to form a suitable space or groove 28 between the units I i of the composite roof structure ill or the like construction, as illustrated in Figure 1, for

the application of a suitable mastic of bitumastic or bitustatic material to thoroughly seal and waterproof the joints between the units forming the composite roof structure or the like. To suitably gauge the space or groove 28 between the units ll vertical prongs 29 may be provided.

The prongs 29 ar'epreferably formed in the same operation that forms the completed metal clip iii. In forming the prongs 29 they are preferably formed by splitting or shearing the blank 20 along the lines 30, as illustrated in Figure 4. The prongs 29 are so positioned on the clip I8 that they are in alignment with the vertical upstanding portion 24 of the clip, Figures 5 and 7,

= 1 and at right angles to the vertical upstanding portion 24, Fi ures 6 and 7, for aligning and spacing contiguous units. It is'obvious that as the p'rongs 21 are forced into the units Ii, the units along the respective edges will abut against the I upstanding prongs 29, as best illustrated in Figure 3.

In Figures 3, 6 and 7, I illustrate two preferred species of my metal clip I9. In Figure 6, there is illustrated a novel triangular shaped B-prong clip 3|. The clip 3|, as illustrated in Figure 3, is suitably formed to support the contiguous corners of two units ll and'to suitably space three units, as illustrated in Figure 3, wherein the units are laid in a formation to break the joints.

A unit 32, as'illustrated in Figures 3 and 7, is

a 4-pronged clip adapted .to-secure and space the contiguous comers of four adjacent units. The clip 32 is preferably formed either from a rectangular or square-shaped'blank. I Since the clips 3! 76 ,fication of my novel metal 'inFigurel, act as a .wardly as illustrated to form tion which are'used II will always be substantially in a level plane;

Referring to Figure 8, I illustrate another modiclip. The clip 33 is also preferably formed from a continuous strip of sheet metal. Prongs 33 are suitably. blanked for securing in spaced relationship units H of the composite roof structure, as illustrated in Figure 1. Avertical portion '35 serves to act as a support for the clip 33 as well as a gauge for the space 28 between the units ll. When the clip 33 is used to space the units Ii, as illustrated the edges 33 of the vertical portion gauge and stop for the units ii to provide thedesired spacing preferably formed with a'suitable die in a single operation and are given substantially a quarter twist to offset the prongs themsel es substantially 90 from the vertical portion 35. The vertical portion 35 may be slitted as at'31-and bent outa suitable grip on the mastic when it is laid in. the groove 28 formed by the clip 33. betweenadiacent units I I.

It is obvious from'theforegoing that I have disclosed'a novei metal clip and modification thereof for suitably supporting and aflixing adjacent units preferably of a felted fiber construcin composite roof structure. However, it is within the scope of my invention that these units may be formed of wood,

. metal, cement, orother material and s0 adapted ing structure.

3|. and 32, Figures 3, 5, 6

as to receive the clips formed as disclosed, and laid to form a composite roof-structure, orother planar surface. Furthermore, it is obvious that a novel metal clip has been formed which is adapted to readily underlie and support the'unit forming the composite roof structure. or the like, and also clips which are readily formed by blanking-in a singleoperationwith the use of a.suitable die. Although it is preferable in laying the units forming the composite roof structm-e that laid in amas'tic or adhesive withever it is necessary, it is obvious that the metal clips'l2, l8, 3| and 32 have formed therein suitable means for gripping the underlyingv support- This means may take the form of a punched-out portion of the base portion 26 caused by piercing with a suitable tool'and best illustrated as at 38 in the metal clips l8, and 7; It is also obvious that the metal clips 12, n, u and :2 may be amxed to a suitable supporting structure with a nail either driven through the base portion 26 or through the hole provided by the means 38.

It is also obvious from the disclosure, as illustrated in Figures 1, 2, and 3 that with my preferred metal clips and modifications thereof, it is very simple for even the most unskilled artisan to layer composite roof structure or the like, fabricated from separate units sothat there is formed a suitable and uniform space between the units for the application of a suitable mastic or adhesive between to seal the joints. Similarly, it is obvious from Figure 3 that one can readily lay the contiguous corners of adjacent units at uniform spacing at all times.

with a preferred method of fined in the following claims.

While the above novel metal clip, together with preferred modifications thereof, illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention, together forming my novel metal clip and for laying composite roof structures or the like, the details of construction of the metal clips, the method of forming the clip, and the laying of the composite roof structure or the like by the use of these clips as described are not essential and may be varied without'departure from the scope of my invention as de- What I claim is:

1. A clip of sheet metal for cooperation with a supporting structure and prefabricated structural units in juxtaposition comprising a base portion adapted to underly the contiguous cornersof the structural units, and prongs adapted to pierce adjacent edges of the structural units at points removed a substantial distance from the contiguous corners of adjacent units to resist splitting of the structural units and laterally space the units a substantial distance.

2. A clip of sheet metal for cooperation with a supporting structure and prefabricated structural units in juxtaposition comprising a base portion adapted to underly thecontlguous corners of the structural units, prongs adapted to engage adjacent edges of the structural units and laterally space the units a' substantial dis-' tance, and said prongs engaging in adjacent edges of the structural units at points removed a substantial distance from the contiguous corners of adjacent units to resist splitting of the structural units. r

3. A clip of sheet metal for cooperation with a Supporting structure and prefabricated structural units in juxtaposition comprising a base portion adapted to underly the contiguous corners of the structural units, prongs adapted to pierce adjacent edges of the structural units at points removed a substantial distance from the contiguous corners of adjacent units to resist splitting of the structural units and laterally space the un ts a substantial distance, and said prongs formed from the base portion.

4. A fastening element for prefabricated structural units comprising a clip of sheet metal having a base portion and prongs alternately formed from the base portion and adapted to pierce adjacent opposite structural units at points removed a substantial distance to resist splitting of the structural units and laterally space the structural units a substantial distance.

5. A fastening element for prefabricated structural units comprising a clip of sheet metal.

formed in the shape of a parallelogram, prongs struck up at diagonally opposite acutely angular corners of the parallelogram, the opposite obtusely angular corners comprising base portions adapted to underly the structural units, and said prongs adapted to pierce the edges of adjacent structural units and laterally space the structural units a substantial distance.

6. A- fastening element for prefabricated struc-. tural units comprising a clip of sheet metal formed to pierce the edges of a plurality of the structural units and having a base portion and adapted to pierce the edges of adjacent structural units, prongs formed from the base portion, and means split and formed from the basev portion adapted to laterally space the structural units in conjunction with the prongs.

.7. A fastening element for prefabricated structural units comprising a clip of sheet metal hav- 8. A fastening element adapted for spacing and aflixing prefabricated structural units having their corners contiguous comprising a clip of sheet metal substantially quadrilateral in shape. having a base portion, prongs formed from the base portion at corners of the quadrilateral along a diagonal thereof, the prongs at opposite cor-' ners of the diagonal formed on opposite sides of the diagonal whereby a piercing point for each prong is formed at the intersection of the diagonal and adjacent edges of the quadrilateral, whereby the prongs are adapted to engage the structural units and the base portions adjacent the prongs are adapted to underly the structural units.

' 9. A fastening element adapted for spacing and affixing structural units having their edges adjacent comprising a clip of sheet metal substantially quadrilateral in shape having a base portion, prongs formed from the basep'ortion at corners of the quadrilateral, the prongs at opposite corners formed by the acute angles of the quadrilateral between adjacent sides of the quadrilateral and sheared part way along a line substantially midway between the opposite sides of the quadrilateral whereby a piercing point for each prong is formed by portions of adjacent sides of the quadrilateral and the sheared edge, whereby the prongs are adapted to engage adjacent edges of the structural units and the base portions adjacent the prongs to underly the struc-- in cooperation with the prongs, and two of said prongs formed by shearing along a line substantially parallel to one of the bases of the triangle.

FLOYD W. ADAMS. 

